On road to Mackinac Policy Conference, a peek at coming elections

8:30 AM, May 25, 2014

Both Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and Wayne County Executive candidate Bill Wild have billboards along I-75 touting their credentials. Westland Mayor Bill Wild, pictured on this billboard, wants to take the job from embattled county Executive Robert Ficano.

Detroit Free Press Lansing Bureau

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Both Macomb county Executive Mark Hackel and Wayne County Executive candiate Bill Wild have billboards along I-75 touting their credentials. Mark Hackel, picture in this billboard, wants another four-year term as county executive .

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NORTHERN MICHIGAN — While politics won’t be front and center at the 34th annual Mackinac Policy Conference, which begins Tuesday, attendees will get a dose of the upcoming election season as they drive north on I-75 to Mackinac Island.

Both Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and Wayne County Executive candidate Bill Wild have billboards along I-75, between Gaylord and the Mackinac Bridge, touting their credentials.

Both Democrats will be on the ballot this year — Mark Hackel wants another four-year term as county executive and Westland Mayor Bill Wild wants to take the job from embattled county Executive Robert Ficano.

Hackel’s two billboards, replete with a 10-foot high picture of the politician in shirtsleeves and a yellow tie, heralds the economic development that’s happening in Macomb County.

It’s a tried and true campaign ploy to get the attention of some of metro Detroit’s biggest movers and shakers as they head to the island for the three-day schmooze-a-thon that tackles issues including education, job force training and how to become a better entrepreneur.

More than 1,600 people are registered to attend the conference, according to the Detroit Regional Chamber, which sponsors the annual event. And they’ll get to see the two politicians up close and personal, too: Both are planning to attend.

Politics won’t be totally absent from the conference. There will be a forum featuring U.S. Senate candidates Terri Lynn Land, former Secretary of State and U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, as well as a few sessions featuring Lansing lawmakers, Detroit elected officials and Gov. Rick Snyder.